The Masonic Deck of Cards

One evening a Lodge Mentor retired with a young Brother who could not witness a ceremony in a higher degree.

The Mentor produced a pack of playing cards and said to the younger Brother, “Did you know that you can learn a great deal about Freemasonry from these?”

“No, indeed,” said the young Brother. “What can they teach me?”

“They are useful for improving your memory,” said the Mentor. “Look here, now.”

The ACE it reminds me of the Great Architect of the Universe.

The TWO reminds me of the two great pillars at the entrance of King Solomon’s Temple

The THREE remind me of the three who rule the Lodge, The Master, The Senior Warden and the Junior Warden.

The FOUR reminds me of our progression in the Craft Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, and Worshipful Master.

The FIVE reminds me of the five noble orders of Architecture, Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite.

The SIX reminds me of the six principles of our order, Brotherly Love, Relief, Truth, Faith, Hope, and Charity.

The SEVEN reminds me of the seven liberal arts and sciences, Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric, Arithmetic, Music, Geometry, and Astronomy.

The EIGHT reminds me that we have members from all faiths. Muslims believe that there are eight paradises, signifying God’s mercy. In Buddhism, eight is a lucky number.

The NINE reminds me of the working tools. Three for each of the three degrees.

The TEN was the Pythagorean symbol of perfection or completeness.

The JACK reminds me of the word we share in the Fellow Craft Degree.

The QUEEN reminds me of the widow who bore the famous son and Queen of Sheba who visited King Solomon.

The KING reminds me of King Solomon, the principal figure of our order, and our current Sovereign.

There are TWELVE face cards that remind me of the twelve tribes of Israel And the twelve signs of the Zodiac.

There are TWO COLOURS which remind me of Night and Day. Good and Evil.

There are FOUR SUITS that remind me of the cardinal virtues - Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude and Justice.

“I am most grateful,” said the young Brother. “I will never forget all that you have said. But tell me, there are two cards that you haven’t yet explained.”

“Oh, those,” said the Mentor. “Those are the two JOKERS who Proposed and Seconded you after telling you that it would take no more than one evening a month of your time!